MEETING WITH U.S. SENATORS RE EXTRA-JUDICIAL KILLINGS IN THE PHILIPPINES
WASHINGTON DC - Senator Richard Gordon
continued his lobby for Philippine interests at the Capitol Hill when
he met with United States Senators Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii) chairman,
US Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs and Patrick Leahy (D-Vermont),
chairman, US Senate Judiciary Committee and tackled the issue of
extra-judicial killings in the Philippines.
Gordon
said during the meeting that Senators Inouye and Leahy asked about the
current situation regarding this matter and efforts being made by the
Philippine Government to address this issue.
Recently,
Supreme Court Chief Justice Reynato Puno said he will call a summit to
discuss how the Judiciary can address the issue of extra-judicial
killings, while members of the Philippine Senate are inclined to
investigate the same under the current Arroyo administration.
Gordon,
who is a staunch advocate of justice and liberty and whose father was a
victim of political violence, welcomed the U.S. Senators’ concern over
the matter and their willingness to help the Philippines on this issue.
Commenting
on his discussion with Senators Inouye and Leahy on this issue, Senator
Gordon stated "There is unfortunately a sad history of political
violence in the Philippines. However, I don’t believe that there is a
Government policy and an organized effort behind this violence for that
would go against the basic duty of the State to protect and serve the
people under the Constitution. It is more likely that this has been due
to actions of various parties in conflict and rogue elements in the
security forces."
Aside from
sharing his views on the issue and informing the Senators of the
measures being taken by the Philippine Government to effectively
address this problem, Senator Gordon noted that \u003cp style\u003d\”text-align:justify\”\>In addition,\nSenator Gordon nevertheless said "I gave my assurances to Senators\nInouye and Leahy that the Philippine Government is committed to resolve\nthis problem, and that I, as a member of the Philippine Senate, have\nstood up and spoken on this issue on the floor and will continue also\nto see to it that the rule of law is upheld and people's rights are\nadequately protected."\u003c/p\> \u003cp style\u003d\”text-align:justify\”\>Gordon gave\na high premium on justice as part of the basic duty of the State to\nprotect and serve the people. He has denounced the extrajudicial\nkillings of journalists, judges, politicians, activists, etc. through\nseveral privilege speeches in the Senate and called for action to\ndeliver swift justice. He has also fought numerous times to protect the\nfundamental liberties of the people guaranteed by the Constitution\nunder threat by extrajudicial killings and abductions, Calibrated\nPreemptive Response (CPR), Presidential Proclamation No. 1017, etc.\u003c/p\> \u003cp style\u003d\”text-align:justify\”\>Speaking\nin his capacity as Chairman of the Philippine National Red Cross\ndedicated to alleviate human suffering and protect life and dignity\nespecially of the most vulnerable, Senator Gordon made the following\ncall: "All parties in this issue, such as the military and the\ninsurgents, I urge all of you to adhere strictly to the rule of law and\nconduct yourselves accordingly under the provisions of International\nHumanitarian Law and exercise respect for basic rights and civil\nliberties."\u003c/p\>\u003cbr\>\n”,0]
);
//–>U.S. assistance,
particularly those that would help enhance the technical and forensic
capabilities of law enforcement authorities would help the Philippines
resolve this problem.
In addition,
Senator Gordon nevertheless said "I gave my assurances to Senators
Inouye and Leahy that the Philippine Government is committed to resolve
this problem, and that I, as a member of the Philippine Senate, have
stood up and spoken on this issue on the floor and will continue also
to see to it that the rule of law is upheld and people’s rights are
adequately protected."
Gordon gave
a high premium on justice as part of the basic duty of the State to
protect and serve the people. He has denounced the extrajudicial
killings of journalists, judges, politicians, activists, etc. through
several privilege speeches in the Senate and called for action to
deliver swift justice. He has also fought numerous times to protect the
fundamental liberties of the people guaranteed by the Constitution
under threat by extrajudicial killings and abductions, Calibrated
Preemptive Response (CPR), Presidential Proclamation No. 1017, etc.
Speaking
in his capacity as Chairman of the Philippine National Red Cross
dedicated to alleviate human suffering and protect life and dignity
especially of the most vulnerable, Senator Gordon made the following
call: "All parties in this issue, such as the military and the
insurgents, I urge all of you to adhere strictly to the rule of law and
conduct yourselves accordingly under the provisions of International
Humanitarian Law and exercise respect for basic rights and civil
liberties."
